Get serious about trans fat danger

Research shows that these fats significantly raise your risk of heart disease

Trans fats don't do your body any favors: They can clog your arteries and increase your risk of heart problems and strokes. Found in such foods as chips and cookies, trans fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil to turn it into a solid, adding to a food's flavor and shelf life. The Board of Health in New York City ordered restaurants there to stop serving foods that contain trans fats. Even restaurant chains, Taco Bell among them, have pledged to ban trans fat.

How to cut down on trans fats: Make sure to read labels at the grocery store to check the amount of trans fats before buying processed food. If you're heading out to eat, try to look up the restaurant's nutritional information online. Small restaurants do not generally provide this, but some chain restaurants will list the information on their web site.

Try to have no more than 2 grams of trans fat per day: Look for foods that have no more than half a gram of trans fat per serving, and stick to one serving.